Faith

part six

The days were growing colder as December crept in, a bitter chill settling over the city, but inside Leo, it was already winter. His patience was threadbare, his mind haunted by thoughts of Eian. Was she truly in the hands of Soulless? What torment awaited her under the cruel command of Blue Blood? Every second that passed without answers gnawed at him, the fear twisting inside his gut, turning into something darker: anger.

Leo had always been fiery, but now his temper was like a forest fire, uncontrollable and fueled by his guilt. He was no longer himself. The sharp edge of frustration had dulled him into someone isolated, constantly on the verge of explosion. The guilt over Eian's disappearance was eating him alive, but so was the fear—fear that she was suffering, fear that he might never find her.

At the Louinsky household, tension hung in the air like a storm cloud. It was Fiona’s birthday, though the day was hollow, any sense of celebration overshadowed by the heavy weight of Eian’s absence. Fiona hadn’t expected much—a quiet evening at most, knowing what the family was enduring—but her mother-in-law had insisted on a dinner, a forced semblance of normalcy. Even Fort Collins, the prime minister, had shown up, along with Fiona’s brother Kevin. Everyone was at the table, trying to make small talk, except for Leo, whose absence had become an ominous habit in recent days.

George Louinsky, Leo’s father, sat at the head of the table, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked like he might crack a tooth. He glanced at Fiona, her forced smile barely masking the tension beneath. George hated what his son was becoming. He understood the agony of Eian’s disappearance, but an alpha had responsibilities—to his family, to everyone depending on him. Yet Leo was unraveling, turning his back on everyone, isolating himself from the very people trying to help. The police, the FBI, even Fort Collins’ elite forces—everyone was working day and night to find Eian. But to Leo, it was never enough. He glared at them all, as though their efforts were worthless.

Suddenly, Leo came in, stormed into the house, his face a mask of barely contained fury. The room went silent as George locked eyes with his son, the unspoken anger between them thickening the air.

“Where have you been?” George demanded, his voice hard and unforgiving.

Leo ignored him, moving toward the staircase. But George wasn’t going to let it go. “I asked you a question, Leo.”

Leo froze mid-step, his shoulders tense. He turned slowly, his eyes blazing. “I was looking for Eian!” His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. “Your men aren’t doing enough, so I took matters into my own hands. I’ve just come from the investigator’s office.”
George’s face darkened, but before he could speak, Leo continued, the words tumbling out like he couldn’t stop himself. “Guess what? He’s actually doing his job! Not like your useless FBI team. He’s discovered that there’s a possibility Alex is alive!” The room froze at the mention of that name. “I... I have a feeling he took my sister.”
Mr. Louinsky, stunned by the bizarre possibility cleared his throat, his voice firm. “Leo, this is neither the time nor place..”
But Leo, frustrated and boiling with anger, wasn’t backing down. “I don’t care! We’re sitting here having dinner like everything is fine while my brother is missing! And now there's a chance Alex—” He stopped mid-sentence, realizing he had said too much..
Mr Fort narrowed his eyes listening carefully.. before muttering : " Alex ?.. "
Mr. Louinsky exchanged a glance with his wife, who was visibly anxious, her hands trembling as she tried to stay composed. She stared down at her plate, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
Fort  raised an eyebrow, his posture straightening. “ Who exactly is this Alex, and why do you think he took your sister ?”
still fumin, Leo rubbed his hand on his forehead trying to structure what to say “Alex .." choosing his words he continued " is a dangerous Alpha. He was involved in the criminal world before, He must be reason Eian is gone!” His voice cracked with emotion, revealing just how close to the edge he was.